Personalities

Jose Garces Represents Real Local Flavor

Jose Garces
Jose Garces Photo: Courtesy GPTMC

Yesterday the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) launched its new education and tourism effort, Philly Homegrown, Real Local Flavor with Jose Garces as the poster-chef representing the region’s 100-mile foodshed. With his rise as a culinary superstar spreading from a local standpoint to one of global proportions, he was a natural choice, according to Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of GPTMC. “Jose Garces was our first choice because he is so recognizable, likable and has become a local hero with a national platform,” Levitz told Grub Street. “And whether he’s combining Peruvian and Chinese flavors at one restaurant or serving tapas after tapas at another, we simply love the way he plays with food.”

The new program, which champions many of the people, places and flavors that make up the fabric of farmers, artisans and chefs who depend on region’s abundant bounty of farms and farm-fresh goods, is the result of GPTMC’s partnership with the William Penn Foundation and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. It seeks to help change how locals and visitors to the region approach, prepare and consume food at home and while dining out. “I think Jose’s ability to use fresh, quality ingredients in a number of inventive ways is just plain fun and probably good for you too,” Levitz said. “And that’s really what Philly Homegrown is all about.” Metropolitan Bakery’s James Barrett, Yards Brewing Co.’s Tom Kehoe and Jon and Kira’s Chocolates founders John Doyle and Kira Baker-Doyle join Garces in the campaign.

Previously: Garces Goes Americana at Cira Centre

Jose Garces Represents Real Local Flavor